By Bill Wilson Tom Ehrich, one of my favorite thinkers about church in the 21st century, recently told me he is down to one pivotal question for the congregations he works with: “Is your primary orientation inward or outward?” He…
The myth of redemptive violence
By Steve Harmon The Aug. 5 shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis., has set off spirited debate over the merits of gun-control legislation. Comments span the spectrum of perspectives in the contemporary American debate over gun control…
The myth of redemptive violence
By Steve Harmon The Aug. 5 shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis., has set off spirited debate over the merits of gun-control legislation. As a theologian who thinks that a lively debate within a contested tradition can be…
Romney VP pick bad news for the poor
By Miguel De La Torre Show me your checkbook, and I’ll show you your commitment to Christ and his gospel message of liberation and salvation. Talk about following Jesus, apart from costly discipleship, has always been cheap. Commitment is measured…
Strangers among us
By Bob Burroughs Where were these words spoken? 1. “Greetings! How are you today?” 2. “Hello! I’m so very pleased you are with us today. How can I assist you?” 3. “I’m so glad you came in today. If there…
Running on fumes
By Jimmy Gawne Every weekend millions of Americans gather together in homes, sports bars, community centers and even houses of worship. They set aside differences of politics, religion, gender and sexuality. Joined by a high speed bond, each proclaims his…
Running on fumes
By Jimmy Gawne Every weekend millions of Americans gather together in homes, sports bars, community centers and even houses of worship. They set aside differences of politics, religion, gender and sexuality. Joined by a bond high speed, each proclaims his…
Reflections on a summer away
By David P. Gushee I am grateful to the editors of Associated Baptist Press for holding a place for me while I took a break from opinion writing this summer. Perhaps I will get broken in again by simply offering…
Life, assault weapons and consistency
By Marv Knox Why do so many people who take a pro-life position on abortion take an anti-life position on possession of firearms designed to execute multiple victims in mere seconds? The profile overlaps: Many Americans who oppose abortion also…
Why I had an Egg McMuffin this morning
By Brett Younger I boycotted Chick-fil-A for years. This is not an excuse, but I grew up in Southern Baptist churches in the Deep South. I am embarrassed as I look back on my narrow-mindedness, but this is what I…
Your money and your mouth
By Angela Yarber I recently penned an open letter to Dan Cathy regarding his public stance against gay marriage. I assumed Christian consumers and LGBT activists — two groups that are not always mutually exclusive — would also respond to…
Food courts and fender benders
Pam Durso We have not yet arrived — not completely and totally. Baptist women serving in ministry still hear words of opposition, encounter suspicions and doubts and experience the pain of exclusion. We are not fully embraced by all, not…